Dublin's Bohemian Football Club unveils Thin Lizzy away kit
Paying homage to their 1977 concert at Dalymount Park
Fan-owned Irish Premier League team Bohemian Football Club has joined forces with Thin Lizzy’s management to launch a new away kit inspired by the legendary band.
The one-off jersey pays homage to Thin Lizzy’s landmark outdoor concert at Dalymount Park in Dublin – home of Bohemian FC – on 21st August 1977, together with the Irish band’s seminal 1979 album ‘Black Rose: A Rock Legend.’
Thin Lizzy was formed in Dublin in 1969 by the late-great Phil Lynott, drummer Brian Downey, guitarist Eric Bell and short-serving organist Eric Wrixon. Although he was born in the West Midlands, Phil Lynott was brought up in the Irish capital by his grandparents.
The Bohemian FC shirt is emblazoned with the iconic Thin Lizzy logo on the front and ‘The Boys Are Back in Town’ lyrics “Friday night they'll be dressed to kill” on the back neck.
Aesthetically, the white, black and purple jersey features 'Black Rose' detailing, designed by Thin Lizzy album artist Jim Fitzpatrick, as well as sleeve trims, and an embroidered hem tag of an original concert poster on the lower front.
The exclusive shirt is available to pre-order from Bohemian FC’s official website now.
10% of the profits from the shirt will be used by Bohemian Football Club to help bring music to disadvantaged and socially isolated children across Dublin. This will be done in conjunction with club partners for the project Music Generation Dublin City.
Daniel Lambert, Bohemian FC, COO: “We are delighted to unveil this jersey today following lots of work on the idea. The Lizzy concert at Dalymount has always been mentioned in any lists of the greatest Irish gigs of all time.
Bohemian Thin Lizzy kit launch video
“For Dalymount Park, it was the first concert held at our famous venue, setting the path for the many famous gigs to follow through the 80s and 90s.
“Thin Lizzy are one of the greatest Irish bands of all time, and for many Phil the greatest Dubliner, to pay tribute to them and the gig on the shirt is brilliant.
“A very special thanks to Jim Fitzpatrick for his permission to use the Black Rose throughout, and to Des Kelly Interiors for their continued willingness to work with us on unique shirts.”
Bohemian FC have previously launched an away kit honouring Irish band Fontaines DC, and reggae icon Bob Marley.
Music News: Thin Lizzy voted Ireland's greatest band ahead of U2
13 music acts who have appeared on football kits:
Wet Wet Wet
Back in 1993, Scottish kings of soft rock Wet Wet Wet became the shirt sponsors of their local football team Clydebank F.C. Pictured is Marti Pellow and co. proudly clutching the home, away and third kits.
Motörhead
Metal legends Motörhead sponsored the Greenbank under-10s B team from Lincolnshire in 2006 after they were approached by the manager Gary Weight. He told the BBC: "It was from a bizarre idea one evening. I sent an email off to them and they came back and said it was a great idea. I knew Lemmy years ago and for him, I think the thought of a football team running out with the Motorhead logo made him chuckle a bit, so that's where it's come from."
Goldie Lookin Chain
Comedy rappers Goldie Lookin Chain sponsored Newport County AFC's football kit for their games in the Football Association of Wales Premier Cup in 2004. Band member Mike Balls said at the time: "It was designed by the fans - one of them designed it with the medallion round the neck just for the Welsh Cup, so hopefully we (Newport) can stay in it longer than we usually do."
Jake Bugg
Back in 2017, the then 23-year-old Jake Bugg signed a 10-month sponsorship deal with his beloved Notts County. He told BBC Nottingham: "It's amazing, to see your team out there playing nice football is great. For them to do it with your name on the front is even better. I'm sure there are places I've been like Germany or Brazil that might not have heard of them. It's nice to get the team's name out there."
Fatboy Slim
In 1999, chart-conquering dance titan Fatboy Slim invested £100,000 into his then impoverished local side Brighton and Hove Albion. In return, his Skint Records label logo was emblazoned on the front of the club's shirts for the next season.
Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim also launched a limited-edition Brighton shirt in 2004 to celebrate the release of his new studio album 'Palookaville.
The Prodigy
In 2012, dance-rock legends The Prodigy sponsored the Eastleigh Reds Under-13s football team in Hampshire. Liam Howlett was inspired to sponsor the team after hearing that they train to their thumping track 'Warrior's Dance'.
Bad Manners
Back in 1996, ska legends Bad Manners had their name emblazoned on Margate FC's shirt. Ahead of their 1997 FA Cup first round game against Fulham, singer Buster Bloodvessel went onto the pitch for a kickabout while proudly wearing the shirt.
Ed Sheeran
In May 2021, Ed Sheeran announced he's the new shirt sponsor for his team Ipswich Town. The one-year deal covers both the men and women's' teams. Ed said: "The football club is a big part of the local community and this is my way of showing my support. I have always enjoyed my trips to Portman Road and I'm looking forward to going back there as soon as supporters are allowed into stadiums again. With the new owners from the US coming in, there are sure to be exciting times ahead for Ipswich fans, including myself."
The Libertines
In 2018, The Libertines joined forces with Margate FC to launch a new kit. The band's logo was emblazoned on the front of the home and away shirts of the Kent-based team, who play in the Isthmian League Premier Division. New versions of the kit have been launched in subsequent seasons.
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden haven't officially sponsored bassist Steve Harris' beloved West Ham United, however in 2019 Maiden and West Ham joined forces to launch a collaborative kit. Dubbed Die With Your Boots On in homage to Iron Maiden's 1983 'Piece of Mind' track of the same name, the kit was designed by Steve alongside the East London football club. Pictured is Steve launching the kit with Pablo Zabaleta.
Iron Maiden
An away version of Iron Maiden's Die With Your Boots On kit was later launched in 2021.
Mogwai
Scottish post-rockers Mogwai were the shirt sponsors for St Roch's Primary and Deaf School in Roystonhill, Glasgow in 2018. Referencing Mogwai's 1997 debut album 'Mogwai Young Team', the primary school tweeted: "Mr McDonald and The Young Team of St Roch's Primary would like to thank @mogwaiband for sponsoring their new football strips! They look amazing! We can't thank you enough."
Super Furry Animals
Welsh purveyors of psychedelic indie, Super Furry Animals, sponsored Cardiff City for their Welsh cup run in 1999 and 2000. Gruff Rhys and Guto Price said: "We are both from Cardiff and City fans, but the other three band members are from north Wales and are not so big on Cardiff."
Enter Shikari
Electro-rockers Enter Shikari sponsored sixth tier football club St Albans City FC for the 2020 and 2021 season. "Growing up I was passionate about two things: football and music," said Enter Shikari bassist Chris Batten. "The reality is that sport and music go hand-in-hand when it comes to providing a positive outlet for young people, no matter what their background. SACFC lead the way with their community outreach programs and Enter Shikari couldn't be more proud to embark on a partnership with the club."